Can you improve your vision and prevent eye disease by taking herbal supplements? Like all parts of the human body, the eyes have to be nourished properly. Part of eye care is making sure that you are eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh herbs and vegetables, especially yellow and yellow-orange foods such as carrots, yams and cantaloupes. Any very dark blue berry, such as bilberries, blackberries or blueberries is also beneficial for your eyesight. You should also make sure you are getting ample amounts of A, C and E and the minerals selenium and zinc.

Herbal Support for Maintaining Eye Health

If the goal is to keep your eyes in good working order then try supplementing your daily diet with the following herbs:

Bayberry Bark – This supplement, often sold in capsule form, helps increase the microcirculation of the small blood vessels in the eye and the high Vitamin C content in the bark helps protect your eyes from infection.

Bilberry Extract – You can get bilberry extract as a liquid extract or a delicious powder form that you can be mixed with liquids. It is also available as a bottled juice and a freeze-dried extract. The flavonoids in it are free radical fighters that help prevent night blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration. These berries are also a very rich source of Vitamin C, which helps ward of eye infections. Note that if you have had cataracts removed that bilberry is a good preventative nutrient to take to help prevent them from coming back.

Eyebright – Eyebright is an all around panacea for dealing with eyestrain. It can also help those who have itchy or watery eyes due to staring at a computer all day. You can take this powerful anti-inflammatory orally as a capsule. There are also formulations available as an eye drop solution.

These herbs are often available in formulas that also include other things that support eye health for the eyes such as Vitamin A or Lutein.

Herbal Support for Bloodshot Eyes

Bloodshot eyes occurred when the small blood vessels in the eye become inflamed. You can combat this condition with a raspberry leaf compress.

Make a tea out of raspberry leaves, allow it to cool and soak a clean cloth or piece of sterile cotton in the tea to make a compress. Apply the compress to the eyes with the lids closed for ten minutes as needed.

Herbal Support for Conjunctivitis and Blephartis

Conjunctivas also known as Pink Eye is a disorder that causes inflammation of the eyes. They may appear swollen and blood-shot as well as be itchy or irritated. The eyes may have pus or stick together when closed,

Blephartis is an inflammation of the outer edges of the eyelids that causes redness, itching or burning. It might also feel like you have something in your eye all of the time. Other symptoms, including loss of eyelashes, swelling of the eyelids and excessive tearing can be symptoms of blephartis. You know that you have blephartis as opposed to conjunctivitis if you wake up in the morning with crusts of dried tears gluing your eyes shut.

Both conditions respond well to a warm compress that is dipped in chamomile tea. However, don’t try this if you are allergic to ragweed as the herb is part of that family.

This condition also responds to supplementation with goldenseal either by taking it in oral capsule form or by drinking the tea. Mullein supplements and tea can also help with these uncomfortable conditions.

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a natural consequence of aging and is the leading cause of blindness in older people in both Europe and North America.

Taking bilberry extract (160 milligrams or more daily) and taking at least 50 milligrams of gingko balboa extract a day can help with loss of vision caused by macular degeneration.

There are also many lifestyle changes that you can make to support your eyesight health including wearing sunglasses, avoiding computer eyestrain and washing your hands frequently to avoid eye infections. You should also make sure that your contact lenses are sterilized before you ever put them in your eye.

If you are concerned about your eye health or adopting preventative measures for existing eye conditions book a consultation about herbal treatments, homeopathy for eyes. We can help you deal with any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Healthcare Centre website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewoodhealth.ca or call our Toronto Office at (416)-656- 8100. We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.